Center ledge scoop for separable fasteners



CENTER LEDGE 5000! FOR SEPARABLE FASTENERS Filed Feb. 26, 1954 INVENTOR LOU S H. MORIN ATTORNE;

CENTER LEDGE SCQGP FGR SEPARABLE FASTENERS Louis H. Morin, Bronx, N. 25. Application February 26, 1954, Serial No. 412,817 9 Qlairns. (l. 24-29513) This invention relates to separable fasteners employing stringers having scoops adapted to be coupled and uncoupled in the operation of the fastener. More particularly, the invention deals with a scoop structure of the character described which is materially simplified with respect to the engaging or intercoupled parts of scoops of opposed stringers to facilitate flexing of coupled stringers.

Still more particularly, the invention deals with a scoop structure, wherein projecting coupled portions of the scoops have rounded horn-like elements with ends extending in the direction of the stringers, so as to provide free coupling engagement of scoops of a pair of stringers and, further, in recessing other portions of the coupling ends of the scoops to facilitate transverse bending or flexing of coupled stringers without danger of disengagement.

The novel features of the invention will be best understood from the following description, when taken together with the accompanying drawing, in which certain embodiments of the invention are disclosed and, in which, the separate parts are designated by suitable reference characters in each of the views and, in which:

Fig. 1 is an enlarged perspective view diagrammatically illustrating coupling engagement between one scoop of one stringer and two scoops of an opposed stringer.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of one of the scoops which I employ, detached;

Fig. 3 is a plan view illustrating the engagement of two scoops, one each of a pair of stringers; and

Fig. 4- is a sectional view along the line 4-4 of Fig. 3.

The present invention deals with a scoop structure generally of the type and kind disclosed in my prior application, Serial Number 307,279, filed August 30, 1952, of which this application constitutes a continuation-in-part. The present scoop represents a simplification of that shown in said prior application and is specially suitable for fasteners of small size, such as a No. 2 fastener, as well as for larger sizes. As is known, separable fastener stringers are sold by numbered sizes which range from zero to ten or more and these numbered sizes substantially characterize the dimensions of the scoops on the stringers.

in Figs. 1 and 3 of the drawing, I have shown at and 11, on an enlarged scale, portions of the beaded edges of a pair of stringers 12 and 13. At 14 I have shown identical scoops mounted upon the beaded edge portions of the stringers and, as each scoop is of the same structure, the brief description of a single scoop will be applicable to all.

Each scoop 14 has a mounting end portion 15 and a coupling end portion 16. The coupling end portion comprises dissimilar longitudinal side portions, one side portion 17 thereof comprising a diamond-shaped head 18 characterized by having upper and lower alined projections 18a, 18b (Fig. 2) and joining the mounting end portion 15 through a neck portion defined by the upper and lower alined recesses 19. Recesses 19 receive the 2,798,275 Patented July 9, 1957 projections of heads 18 of scoops of the companion stringer.

The side portion 20 of the scoop has a rib or web 21 disposed centrally with respect to the head 18, the web joining the central projecting portion 22 of the coupling side 20 in a recessed portion 23, this recessing being provided to give clearance for free transverse bending or flexing of coupled stringers.

Extending from the elongated projection or part 22 are curved horns or coupling members 24, outer surfaces 25 of which are curved in the direction of the stringer tape to which the scoop is attached, or away from the opposite stringer. It will appear from a consideration of Fig. 2 that the head 18 of the coupling side 17 terminates centrally of the scoop in fiat surfaces 26 at opposite sides of the rib 21. These surfaces 26 are engaged by corresponding flat lateral faces 01' surfaces 27 of the horns or members 24 which overlie the surfaces 26 when the scoops of a pair of stringers are coupled as will clearly appear from Fig. 3. At opposite sides of the projection 22 are recesses 28 which correspond, in part, with the recesses 19 and join the coupling end portion with the mounting end portion of the scoop.

It will be seen from Fig. 3 that the heads 18 and neck portions defined by recesses 19 serve to secure the stringers against pull-apart separation one with respect to the other; whereas, the projecting horns or members 24 engaging the heads prevent transverse separation of the coupled stringers. The rounded side edges 30, clearly noted in Fig. 2 of the drawing, facilitate the free bending of the stringers one upon the other without danger of disengagement or uncoupling of the stringers, the recesses 01' cut-outs 23 providing further clearance which facilitates an extremely abrupt bending of the stringers. The members or horns 24 of the scoops of one stringer are turned away from the corresponding members or horns of the scoops of the opposed stringer by virtue of the curved surfaces 25, which construction avoids the danger of breakage due to stresses or strains to which the coupled stringers may be subjected in actual use thereof.

As indicated in Fig. 4, the longitudinal central plane of the scoop, that is, the plane passing vertically through the dot-.and-dash line 31, is angularly disposed relatively to the sides 32, 33 and angularly disposed relatively to the longitudinal central plane passing vertically through the dot-and-dash line 34 of the opposed scoop. This construction, as set forth in the said copending application, is the result of casting the scoop in a pair of dies having mating faces which meet in a plane which extends at an angle to the two side walls of the scoop cavity which define the lateral sides or outer lateral surfaces 32, 33 of the scoop. Such angularly extending mating plane, commonly referred to as the parting line of the dies, corresponds to line 31, that is, line 31 lies in the mating plane; the plane also corresponds to the above noted central longitudinal plane of the scoop which, as shown in Fig. 4, extends vertically through the scoop from top to bottom and is disposed angularly to the lateral surfaces 32, 33. As is apparent, this plane divides the coupling end portion of the scoop, land the scoop as a whole, into two distinct sides or side portions 17, 20. As regards a pair of stringers, the effect is to dispose the engaging surfaces 26 and 27, which lie in the longitudinal plane passing through line 31, of one scoop at an angle relatively to the corresponding engageable surfaces of an opposed scoop. Since the surfaces 2e and 27 of one scoop respectively engage surfaces 27 and 26 of an opposed scoop, as illustrated in Figs. 1 and 3, it may be apparent that during coupling of the scoops there will be some clearances between these engaging surfaces. That is, these engaging surfaces of opposed scoops will not approach each other, during coupling, in the exact same plane; rather, as the scoops approach each other, the leading edges of these surfaces will be ofiset away from each other. As the coupling action proceeds, and as the surfaces engage each other more and more, the gap between them due to their angular disposition becomes less and less until the surfaces are in actual contact. This contact is a positive one, insuring positive meshing of the scoops.

In short, the engagement between corresponding surfaces of opposed scoops, particularly in the initial stages of the engaging action, is facilitated.

Fig. 4 also shows one leg 35 of the scoop mounting end portion rearwardly offset with respect to the leg 36, a construction which is also shown and described in the copending application. Flanged slider walls 37, 38 engage the scoop substantially as shown. 7

From the standpoint of description, the coupling end portion may be said to have an outer male coupling portion defined by the head 18 and'a female coupling portion, which is defined by the recesses 19. Further, the Coupling members 24 may be said to comprise upper and lower projecting portions or end projections 24a, 24b (Fig. 2) disposed inalinement with the female coupling portion of the scoop, as will clearly appear from a consideration of Fig. 3 of the drawing. Outwardly of the elongated part 22, or between the surfaces 25 and the surfaces 26, a recess is formed and the ledge 21 connects the elongated part 22 to the surfaces 26, the latter comprising a lateral wall. The ledge divides'the recess into upper and lower pockets or sockets which receive the coupling members 24 of scoops of an opposed stringer. Surfaces 26 may be considered as constituting base walls or Wall portions for the pockets. As is apparent, the ledge extends outwardly to the nose or outermost point of the scoop.

The term inner, as used herein, refers to structure disposed towards the tape or mounting end portion of the scoop while outer refers to structure disposed towards the coupling end portion or nose of the scoop.

Also, considering the transverse extension of the scoop, inner refers to structure disposed towards the central part of the scoop while outer refers to structure positioned towards the lateral sides of the scoop.

Having fully described my invention what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

l. A scoop for separable fasteners of the character described, said scoop comprising a mounting end portion and a coupling end portion, the coupling end portion having an outer male coupling portion and, inwardly thereof, v

a neck forming a female coupling portion of the scoop, one side portion of the female coupling portion of the scoop having upper and lower projections extending therefrom, saidside portion having a recess outwardly of said projections, a center ledge extending from said male coupling portion into said recess and dividing the recess into upper and lower sockets, said ledge extending out wardly to the nose of the scoop and having a cut-out adjacent said projections, and said upper and lower pro- .jections having outer surfaces curved in the direction of the mounting end portion of the scoop, thus turning the projections of the scoops of one stringer away from projections .of the scoopsof the companion stringer.

2. A scoop for separable fastener stringers of the character described, said scoop comprising mounting and coupling end portions, the coupling end portion being divided into two distinct sides by a central vertical plane passing longitudinally therethrough, said plane being angularly disposed relatively to outer lateral surfaces of said coupling end portion, one of said sides having an outer male coupling head, inwardly of which are recesses forming a female coupling portion, the other side having upper and lower projections substantially in transverse alinement with said recesses, and means forming upper and lower sockets outwardly of said projections and substantially in transverse alinement with said head, said projections and sockets having lateral surfaces which lie in said plane and which are engageable with corresponding surfaces of opposed scoops, the male coupling head and female coupling portion of the first named side of the scoop serving to couple scoops of opposed stringers against pull-apart separation, the projections and sockets of the other side portion of the scoop being adapted to retain coupled scoops of opposed stringers against transverse separation, and outer surfaces of the projections of scoops of opposed stringers being turned away from each other.

3. A scoop for separable fastener stringers of the character described, said scoop comprising mounting and coupling end portions, said mounting end portion having a pair of tape-engaging legs one of which is offset inwardly relatively to the other, the coupling end portion being divided into two distinct sides by a central vertical plane passing longitudinally therethrough, said plane being angularly disposed relatively to outer lateral surfaces of said coupling end portion, one of said sides having an outer male coupling head, inwardly of which are recesses forming a female coupling portion, the other side having upper and lower projections substantially in transverse 'alinement with said recesses, means forming upper and lower sockets outwardly of said projections and substantially in transverse alinement with said head, said projections and sockets having lateral surfaces which lie in said plane and which are engageable with corresponding surfaces of opposed scoops, the male coupling head and female coupling portion of the first named side of the scoop serving to couple scoops of opposed stringers against pull-apart separation, the projections and sockets of the other side portion of the scoop being adapted to retain coupled scoops of opposed stringers against transverse separation, outer surfaces of the projections of scoops of opposed stringers being turned away from each other, the means forming said sockets comprising a cen- 'ter ledge, and said ledge being recessed and thereby adapted to provide clearance for free flexing of coupled stringers one with respect to the other.

4. In a separablefastener comprising a pair of stringers each having scoops spaced along one edge of the same, each scoop having a mounting end portion and a coupling end portion, the improvement wherein each scoop comprises dissimilar longitudinal halves, the coupling end portion of one longitudinal scoop half comprising alined projections on upper and lower sides thereof inwardly of which are alined recesses, said projections being engageable with the adjacent recesses of a pair of adjacent opposed scoops to provide an interlock against pull-apart separation of the stringers, the coupling end portion of the other longitudinal scoop half comprising an elongated part terminating in upper and lower end projections, said end projections being turned backwardly in the direction of the mounting end portion of the scoop and each having a lateral engaging face, said elongated 'part having a recess outwardly thereof, said last-mentioned recess being defined in part by a base wall having upper and lower engaging surfaces, said surfaces being engageable With the lateral faces of adjacent end projections of a pair of adjacent opposed scoops to provide an interlock against transverse separation of the stringers, each said surface being angularly disposed relatively to the said engageable lateral face of an end projection of an opposed scoop, whereby the coupling and uncoupling engagement of the stringers is facilitated, and the end projection of .one scoop being normally out of contact with the oppo- .site end projection of an opposed scoop.

5. In a separable fastener comprising a pair of stringers each having scoops spaced along one edge of the same, each scoop having a mounting end portion and a coupling end portion, the improvement wherein each scoop comprises dissimilar longitudinal halves formed by a central vertical plane passing longitudinally through the scoop, said plane being angularly disposed relatively to lateral sides of the scoop and relatively to the plane of an opposed scoop coupled therewith; saidmounting end portion having a pair of tape-engaging legs one of which is oifset inwardly relatively to the other; the coupling end portion of one longitudinal scoop half comprising alined projections on upper and lower sides thereof inwardly of which are alined recesses, said projections and recesses being tapered towards the outer lateral side of said one scoop half, a lateral wall disposed in said vertical plane and defining said alined projections opposite said outer lateral side, said projections being engageable with the adjacent recesses of a pair of adjacent opposed scoops to provide an interlock against pull-apart separation of the stringers; the coupling end portion of the other longitudinal scoop half comprising an elongated part terminating in upper and lower end projections, each end pr ojection being turned inwardly in the direction of the mounting end portion of the scoop to help maintain said end projection out of engagement with an end projection of an opposed scoop, each end projection having a lateral engaging face which lies in said plane, a recess outwardly of said elongated part and partially defined by said wall, a web connecting said wall to the elongated part, a cutout in the web adjacent the elongated part, said web extending outwardly to the nose of the scoop and dividing said last-mentioned recess into upper and lower pockets each partially defined by a portion of said wall, said wall portions being engageable with the lateral faces of adjacent end projections of a pair of adjacent opposed scoops to provide an interlock against transverse separation of the stringers, each said wall portion being angularly disposed relatively to the said engageable lateral face of an end projection of an opposed scoop, whereby the cou- U pling and uncoupling engagement of the stringers is facilitated.

6. In a separable fastener comprising a pair of stringers each having scoops spaced along one edge of the same, each scoop having a mounting end portion and a coupling end portion, the improvement wherein each scoop comprises dissimilar longitudinal halves formed by a central vertical plane passing longitudinally through the scoop, said plane being angularly disposed relatively to lateral sides of the scoop and relatively to the plane of an opposed scoop coupled therewith; the coupling end portion of one longitudinal scoop half comprising alined projections on upper and lower sides thereof inwardly of which are alined recesses, a lateral Wall disposed in said plane and partially defining said alined projections, said projections being engageable with the adjacent recesses of a pair of adjacent opposed scoops to provide an interlock against pull-apart separation of the stringers; the coupling end portion of the other longitudinal scoop half comprising an elongated part terminating in upper and lower end projections, each end projection being turned inwardly in the direction of the mounting end portion of the scoop, each end projection having a lateral engaging face which I lies in said plane, a recess outwardly of said elongated part and partially defined by said Wall, a web connecting said wall to the elongated part, said web dividing said last-mentioned recess into upper and lower pockets each partially defined by a portion of said wall, said wall portions being engageable with the lateral faces of adjacent end projections of a pair of adjacent opposed scoops to provide an interlock against transverse separation of the stringers, each said wall portion being angularly disposed relatively to the said engageable lateral face of an end projection of an opposed scoop, whereby the coupling and uncoupling engagement of the stringers is facilitated.

7. In a separable fastener comprising a pair of stringers each having scoops spaced along one edge of the same, each scoop having a mounting end portion and a coupling end portion, the improvement wherein each scoop comprises dissimilar longitudinal halves formed by a central vertical plane passing longitudinally through the scoop, said plane being angularly disposed relatively to lateral sides of the scoop and relatively to the plane of an opposed scoop coupled therewith; the coupling end portion of one longitudinal scoop half comprising a male coupling portion inwardly of which is a female coupling portion, 'alateral wall disposed in said plane and partially defining-said-male coupling portion, said male coupling portion being engageable with the adjacent female coupling portions of a pair of adjacent opposed scoops to provide an interlock against pull-apart separation of the stringers; the coupling end portion of the other longitudinal scoop half comprising an elongated part terminating in upper and lower end projections, each end projection being turned inwardly in the direction of the mounting end portion of the scoop, each end projection having a lateral engaging face which lies in said plane, a pocket outwardly of each end projection, each pocket being partially defined by a portion of said wall, said wall portions being engageable with the lateral faces of adjacent end projections of a pair of adjacent opposed scoops to provide an interlock against transverse separation of the stringers, each said wall portion being angularly disposed relatively to the said engageable lateral face of an end projection of an opposed scoop, whereby the coupling and uncoupling engagement of the stringers is facilitated.

8. In a separable fastener comprising a pair of stringers each having scoops spaced along one edge of the same, each scoop having a mounting end portion and a coupling end portion, the improvement wherein each scoop comprises dissimilar longitudinal halves formed by a central vertical plane passing longitudinally through the scoop, said plane being angularly disposed relatively to lateral sides of the scoop and relatively to the plane of an opposed scoop coupled therewith; said mounting end portion having a pair of tape-engaging legs one of which is ofiset inwardly relatively to the other; the coupling end portion of one longitudinal scoop half comprising a male coupling portion inwardly of which is a female coupling portion, a lateral wall disposed in said plane and partially defining said male coupling portion, said male coupling portion being engageable with the adjacent female coupling portions of a pair of adjacent opposed scoops to provide an interlock against pull-apart separation of the stringers; the coupling end portion of the other longitudinal scoop half comprising upper and lower end projections, each end projection being turned inwardly in the direction of the mounting end portion of the scoop, each end projection having a lateral engaging face which lies in said plane, a pocket outwardly of each end projection, each pocket being partially defined by a portion of said wall, said wall portions being engageable with the lateral faces of adjacent end projections of a pair of adjacent opposed scoops to provide an interlock against transverse separation of the stringers, each said Wall portion being angularly disposed relatively to the said engageable lateral face of an end projection of an opposed scoop, whereby the coupling and uncoupling engagement of the stringers is facilitated.

9. In a separable fastener comprising a pair of stringers each having scoops spaced along one edge of the same, each scoop having a mounting end portion and a coupling end portion, the improvement wherein each scoop comprises dissimilar longitudinal halves formed by a central vertical plane passing longitudinally through the scoop, said plane being angularly disposed relatively to the plane of an opposed scoop coupled therewith; the coupling end portion of one longitudinal scoop half comprising a male coupling portion inwardly of which is a female coupling portion, a lateral wall disposed in said plane and partially defining said male coupling portion, said male coupling portion being engageable with the adjacent female coupling portions of a pair of adjacent opposed scoops to provide an interlock against pull-apart separation of the stringers; the coupling end portion of the other longitudinal scoop half comprising upper and lower end projections, each end projection being turned inwardly in the direction of the mounting end portion of the scoop, each end projection having a lateral engaging face which lies in said plane, a recess outwardly of each projection, a web extending from said wall and dividing said last-mentioned recesses so that each of the latter is partially idefined by a pa tin 9 said walLe eu eou i e web dja en .theim1e porti n th eofl eid wal pqrtions being gageab t late el ia es-Q ldieeen end iz i ions of arzpa 9 adia enfl pp s d :sw p to provid n i lock agains an vei esena at q 9 t stringers,- each said wall portion being angulm lygljsposed relatively 't h s d e g le l t al iae o a e pr je ti f an opp s d s o p, whe by h eoun jn -m u upli en ag ment .e t e st i gers is fac itated;

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U TE STATES PA TENTS I Feb. .1; .1949

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